Bought and Paid For

e sensitive and impressionable, but also because she realized that she had been suddenly robbed of a constant and devoted companion. Fanny, who was now officially engaged to Mr. Gillie, was n

, but she herself must depend on her own exertion. She was a long time making up her mind what she would do. Her education fitted her for a teacher, but she shrank from the idea. Never would she have the patience. Then she thought of trying to write for the papers or magazines. That, also, was rejected. It was too precarious; she had had no experience. There was the st

l that she should attract attention from the men, but the persistent manner in which they stared, and tried to make acquaintance, annoyed her beyond measure. When they spoke to her in the ordinary course of business they were courteous enough, but their eyes were bold, and sometimes they said things in an undertone which made he

e millinery business had grown sufficiently large to take all Fanny's time, and it brought in enough to keep the little household going. When her

or other both of these operations took up considerably more time than was absolutely necessary. On one occasion he was sitting near her desk nearly all afternoon. He had asked her to get Chicago on the long distance. There was trouble on the wires, as had happened once before with Washington, and it was two hours before he got his number. Strangely enough, the delay did not s

him. She was exceedingly pretty, too, yet hers was not the banal, conventional beauty of every day, but something fresher, more fascinating, more lovable, an indefinable, elusive charm that kept him guessing, yet always accompanied by a quiet dignity that compelled respect. Instead of flirting with him or giving him any encouragement, as girls of her class often did, she studious

t than those of a woman more obviously carnal. Never, in the years during which he had sown his wild oats, having learned how to control his appetites, nor in his career as a rich man about town, learned to respect woman or see in her anything else but an instrument of pleasure, it was not surprising that he looked at Virginia

ask only served to spur him on to make the attempt. He began the campaign of fascination tactfully, diplomatically, careful not to offend, avoiding anything likely to excite her resentment or arouse her fe

ltogether, leaving him feeling very much ashamed of himself. Stafford was not a scoundrel at heart. He had gone into the game just for the sport, as many men of his class and opportunities had done before him, carelessly, thoughtlessly,

o keep up. This girl was poor-an obscure stenographer. There was no telling what objectionable relatives she might have. When a man marries, he marries his wife's family! How society would laugh! Well, what if it did? He had boasted to Hadley that he defied the conventions. What did he care for society? There was many a woman in society who, if the walls of alcoves could talk and it came to a show-down on conduct, would not dare hold up her head in presence o

ake his happiness. He was puzzled, at first, how to go about it. A clever way, he thought, would be to get her more interested in himself, in his home. He would ask her to visit his Riverside hous

n to her, being wholly absorbed in business detail, but about four o'clock he declared he was tired, even if she were not, and, despite her protests, insisted on telephoning downstairs and ordering tea to

man of the world entertaining a social equal. Virginia accepted his hospitality and politeness graciously, without awk

istance lately?" he inquired

han usual,"

n with C

ms to me that I have trouble

, boyish laugh, th

le the first time we

," she

admiring her large black eyes, the finely arched ey

ery patient

k if I wasn't patient,

"It wasn't the usual external, duty-patience, but the rea

no

mple of that kind of patience I

delicacy had never asked for particulars. But now circumsta

has she

led with tears, as she went on: "My father was a lawyer, but he didn't have a large practice, and when he died he left nothing but his insurance. It wa

irit," he sai

"My sister Fanny had left school, and was able to help her, and th

you

ggles and sacrifices it meant for her, and here is the irony-the tragedy-of it all. I was selected as the class orator at our graduating exercises, and mother was very happ

ale and thoughtful, her eyes dimmed with tears, she called up mem

ve her

s more to me than anything

r sister, I k

mother's place-as much as any one could-and, exce

ll be though

him in surprise,

she d

that your sister was

low, musical laugh

t month." Sadly she added: "I shall miss her very much. Y

iled. Quiet

th matrimony-that grea

"I feel sure they'll be happy.

her, he asked: "Do

raising her cup to her face

of love?" h

l lo

you call

es wide, as if gr

"don't you think there is

eels for the college football player. As for love at first sight, I consider that simply absurd. To my way of thinki

e right," she s

am," he repli

silence, when sudd

n that your sis

her cup of tea and

would amuse you. Such an origi

self and her family. It seemed to bring t

is Mr. Gillie-doctor

, Virginia shook her he

ure you. He's only a shipping

ement. With an incredul

d he has the impudence to a

nia n

ve some doubts myself, but they are both quite convinced that before long he will be a multi-millionaire. You see, he has ideas. He invents thin

rd, his business instinct quickly a

inventor, he might be able to induce her to bring her prospective brother-in-law to the house, and since Mr. Gillie could hardly accept the invitation alone, she

der if you would do

ked up, wondering what favor she, poor little stenographer,

anything in

d and w

f value in improving our equipment. If this Mr. Gillie has invented something really valuable, I'd like to know what it is. If there is anything in it, I might be able to

e Fanny's interests, but Jimmie was such an impossible person! How could she introduce him to a man of Mr. Stafford's polis

r fiancé. It will also be a good opportunity for you to look over some of my art treasures-quite an interesting collection, I assure you, picked up here and there, all over the world. Do come.

he had every reason to feel flattered and pleased. In her heart she knew that this sudden anxiety to meet Jimmie was but a pretext, and that it was she alone whom he really wanted to go and admire the works of

id again, in earne

e. Then, looking up, she

s-we shall be very pleased.